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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), Mr D W Pescod, noted that the Housing Authority (HA) is firmly committed to providing safe, healthy, "no-fills" homes for over 2 million public rental housing (PRH) tenants. With this in mind, the HA and its business partners in the construction and maintenance industries must continue the joint effort in pursuit of excellence.
While officiating at the Quality Public Housing Construction and Maintenance Awards 2010 Awards Presentation Ceremony today (November 20), Mr Pescod said that, "It is of utmost importance that practitioners measure up to the highest quality standards of services, workmanship, safety and probity."
Business partners of the HA are also requested to share its goal in providing environment-friendly housing through adopting measures that facilitate re-cycling and minimise nuisance and carbon footprint in the construction sites. These measures coupled with the environmental design and facilities of the public housing estates result in significant savings in energy and water consumption. The pleasant environment brought about by the extensive greenery of 100,000 trees in HA estates and the barrier-free environment provided for residents of different ages and physical abilities also contribute to the growth of a sustainable and harmonious community.
Human capital is another key element contributing to the provision of quality public housing. To give the workers their peace of mind, Mr Pescod added, "HA is committed to ensuring occupational safety and health in the workplace as well as the upholding of labour rights. As such, we have long-established contract requirements on works quality, occupational safety and health, and wage monitoring."
Mr Pescod commended the contractors, project teams and frontline practitioners for their contributions to quality public housing. To encourage the younger generation to join the industry, he called on the practitioners to join hands in enhancing the professional culture and image of the industry by adopting best industry practices.
Jointly organised by the HA and various industry associations, the Awards are classified into two categories - New Works Projects and Maintenance & Improvement Projects. Winners were assessed by their performance in terms of works quality, environmental protection, occupational safety and health, ethics and integrity, partnership and customer service.
The awardees of this year included 39 contractors and sub-contractors, 4 outstanding projects, 6 best site safety projects, 4 outstanding project teams, 1 Special Mention of New Works Building Project, 10 supervisors, 10 foremen, 22 workers, 3 ambassadors and 3 building maintenance workers.
Co-organising the event are Hong Kong Construction Association, Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Limited, Hong Kong Construction Sub-Contractors Association, Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, the Construction Site Workers General Union, Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Engineering and Appliances Trade Workers Union, the Labour Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Council, the Construction Industry Council and the Vocational Training Council.
Industry practitioners and members of the public are welcome to browse the success stories of the awardees on HA/Housing Department website （www.housingauthority.gov.hk）.
Ends/Saturday, November 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:41
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